The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-11-10

and patrolmAn or two in attendance to keep
a passage clear over the sidewalk. Last Sun
day was bright day and the crowd was larger
than ever. but il was disappointed, and after
waiting about 40 minutes dispersed, very few
| going into the church TO attend the services.
GEN. RosEcRASss REPORTS.
A pretty little piece of newspaper enterprise
was the publication by the Washington Critic
one Of the brightest Of metropolitan dailies-
last Saturday OF a synopsis Of the annual re-
port OF Gen. w. s. Rosecrlns. Register OF the
Treasury, in advance of the entire press OF the
country. He explains the necessity of a law
requiring such error and warrant entries as will
reconcile the public debt statements OH points
at present diserepant, and prescribing correct
ions of mistakes OF entry, hitherto a serious
Inconvenience TO the bookkeeping Of the De-
partment.
He earnestly urges the importance of having
created by law division in the Registers office,
charged with making up final balances and CIV
ing prompt notice Of same 10 ali concerned, and
keeping the complete history of the cost and
expenses of all public buildings and grounds.
lie calls attention 10 the fact that the absence
of individual accounts with disbursing officers
Of the army and navy largely increase the pos
sibllity OF such losses as those by PaymaSter
Hodge and Capt Howgate etc, and recon-
mends that personal accounts be required TO be
opened and kept on the books of the Registers
Office.
The report indicates that Gen. Rosecrans hss
made personal study and become thoroughly
master Of the immense business and response
bilites Of his Office in all its intricacies, aud
it will be of great interest to financial and
other statisticians. The adoption Of his recon-
mendations by Congress would seem 10 be nee
essary 10 the proper accountability Of the
Treasury Department, and il is somewhat sur
prising that a business-like reform Of this
character should have been SO many years neg
lected.
AT the end Of the fiscal year there were
S2S l0l ,6ii.9l on deposit with the States under
act Of June D, 1885, and Sl,4l9, 73i.4i due
from u. S. minis. repositories and slb.Teasuries
on account Of defaults and deficits. making a
total Of $50, SiS. 1896. of which the sfore-
mentioned amounts are unavailable
Amount received during the fiscal year. under
90 heads, $525,sii, l7766, making total of
81, 052, CO., 1912 cash on hand.
Total expenditures, $3.50. S4l, S.26 leaving
S5l2, S5l, 434.S6 in the Treasury June 80, 1887.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FOURTH AUDITOR
OF THE TREASURY.
year ago THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE CON-
mended the work done by Gen. Charles NJ.
Shelley, the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury,
during the fiscal year ended Jane 80. lsS6, aud,
In looking over his report for the year ended
June 30, 1857, is convinced that the General is
one OF the most faithful panstaking Bureau
officers of the Government. His report is a
model Of brcvity and wholesome recommends
tions. The Fourth Auditor audts the accounts
OF the Navy Department and the navy pensions.
The total amount appropriated for the year for
the support of the navy was s3S, lSo, 095.62
Amount drawn out ofthe Treasury by
warrant.... .......-.Sl5 l52, 100 IL
Balance on hand June 80 lss7....... % C20 428 %
Amount carried TO the surplus fund. 4i6,o56 SO
$50 81
The amount paid for allotments at navy pay
Offices during the year was S542,
The number Of navy invalid pensions.......... SIS
The number Of navy widow pensions. ........ AS
The number of children, under 10 years OF age,
drawing pensions SIG
Suhoer col minor VI
Number oi dependent relaives-.............-.. oas
Total number Of navy pensioners............ 6,Iss
Total amount OF dis6ur ements on ac-
count OF navy ,l24. 2S
The sum Of 81 ,3S2. 79 was expended under
section AIS of the Revised Statutes to REIN.
burse those who bore the expense Of last sick
ness aud burial Of pensioners. Attention ia
called 10 the fact that some OF the Auditors
have a large clerical force, and are then unable
10 keep up their work without assistance from
other bureaus. Ii wonld seem that distribu-
ton of the accounts according TO existing laws
would be more in accordance with the evident
intention of the lawmakers, and would best
promote the interest Of the Government.
There is a work which has been done during
| the past year. as the condition of the routine
work Of the Office permitted, not mentioned
in the Generals report, for which he is TO be
commended. It appears that there are large
number Of open accounts Oh the ledgers OF the
Office which have remained unsettled for from
| 10 20 40 years. The most of those thus appear
ing 10 be indebted 10 the Government are dead,
and have been reported from time TO time as
| deiauters and the statements made use of for
political effect during the excitement of Presi-
Dental campaigns. Very many of these ac-
counts have been settled and closed, and others
will be as the necessities OF the service permit
the clerical force 10 take them up. Very many
cannot lie settled but where it is evident no
wrong has been done the Government, they
ought 10 be balanced by an act Of Congress. In
the case Of the accounts being settled, the heirs
| or nearest relatives ought TO be advised OF the
settlement, and that their relatives were not
| defaulters.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
A new surveying expedition is being organ
lied 10 again 90 over and verify the results OBJ